Soviet Union 1991

Third update

Maziyel's intelligence collection was not without effect. Turkey soon became aware of the news that the Cyprus Army had mobilized armored units. So Maziyel immediately informed the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to prepare for possible war conflicts that may follow. At the same time, Maziyer also stepped up military assistance from Türkiye and Northern Cyprus, used cargo ships to cover up the situation, transported arms to the island of Cyprus, and supported the separatist regime in the north.

Greece and Cyprus are mobilizing before war, and Turkey has not been left behind, because it knows that it may be dealing with a regime supported by a superpower. So Türkiye is ready for a fierce battle. The only thing he cares about is whether the Turkish Navy has the strength to challenge the Stanisk aircraft carrier battle group when the US aircraft carrier battle group intervenes in the dispute.

The Tepe-class frigates that previously tried to confront the Soviet Slava-class cruisers were no match for the Soviet fleet. For the United States, which has a mature sea surface combat fleet, the Turkish Navy does not seem to be enough to feed the Stanisk aircraft carrier's carrier-based aircraft. What's more, there are still two Los Angeles-class attack submarines waiting for opportunities in secret.

All this is a big problem for Maziyer. Turkey’s strength alone cannot reach the point of competing with the Greek Navy. Moreover, after the negotiations to purchase Perry-class destroyers were cancelled, Turkey increasingly felt that it had nothing to gain. The ships came to compete head-on.

Just when Turkish Acting President Maziye was at a loss, Greek Defense Minister Soka Zapoulos was conducting final negotiations on the S300 anti-aircraft missile in Moscow. No matter how the Ministry of Defense delegation headed by Yazov negotiated, the price expectations between the two parties There is still a gap of nearly $7 million.

Yazov provided Minister Sokazapoulos with a price of US$40 million when selling Iran. However, Minister Sokazapoulos obviously felt that the price offered was a bit high, and he hoped that the Soviet delegation could raise the price. Go lower. But Yazov insisted on the price and the two sides reached a deadlock for a while.

"Greece is only willing to put forward an offer of 33 million for one set. This is our bottom line." Minister Sokazapoulos said with a tough attitude, "We will not spend 40 million to purchase an S300 air defense missile system. . What’s more, the S300 air defense missile system has a lot of equipment, is heavy, and takes a long time to prepare for combat. It is very likely that it will not be able to intercept other people’s missiles.”

Then you can choose not to buy it. Yazov felt a little disdainful of the face of Greek Defense Minister Soka Zapoulos. On the one hand, he shouted that it was too expensive, but on the other hand, he was unwilling to get up from the negotiating table and leave. He clearly wanted to take advantage of the price. However, Yazov followed the instructions of General Secretary Yanayev and did not choose to confront Sokazapoulos. He still had the last key card in his hand that could lead to successful negotiations.

Yazov explained patiently, "We can't propose a price of 33 million U.S. dollars. 40 million is also the bottom line given by the Soviet Union. It cannot be lower. If it is any lower, the negotiation may unilaterally declare a breakdown by the Soviet Union." "

Another meaning of Yazov is that Minister Sokazapoulos had better stop it. If you really want to sincerely purchase the S300 air defense missile system, everyone should follow the market price and don't always think about taking advantage of others.

But Minister Sokazapoulos is no longer satisfied with this price. He actually hopes to lower the price to around 35 million to achieve the need to save funds. What's more, the Ministry of Defense has recently had to pay the remaining balance of two Perry-class destroyers, so Greece does not have sufficient funds to squander it.

"34 million, let's take a step back and we won't go any lower." Minister Sokazapoulos gritted his teeth and said.

Seeing that Minister Sokazapoulos still refused to let go of the price, he could only shake his head regretfully. It seemed that the negotiation between him and Minister Sokazapoulos had ended here. Yazov was tired of using fair and aboveboard means to defeat his opponents. Since both sides were unable to do so, they could only use despicable means to make Minister Soka Zapoulos give in.

"By the way, when Minister Sokazapoulos was negotiating with Germany before, he seemed to have made some unfair transactions, didn't he?" Yazov suddenly raised a sensitive question, which made Minister Sokazapoulos a little confused. Not sure what Azov wanted to say.

"It is also a coincidence that this is also a piece of intelligence that was inadvertently involved by KGB intelligence agents. The evidence shows that Minister Sokazapoulos received about 48 million US dollars in bribes in previous missile transactions with Germany, of which 18 million The U.S. dollars were transferred to anonymous accounts in Swiss banks, right? Your wife and daughter are suspected of being involved in this case. What impact will it have on your future career if they are exposed by the media? "

"Oh, by the way, you seem to be suspected of tax evasion. I wonder if these two crimes will result in a prison sentence of 20 years in Greece?"

Yazov spoke in a leisurely manner, but the content of his words made the arrogant Soka Zapoulos change his expression. He didn't know where Yazov got the information from, but he could accurately tell his capital circulation and the amount of bribes he accepted. It seemed that the other party was really prepared.

And Yazov, who was sitting opposite Sokadzaporos, also had some doubts in his heart. Why did General Secretary Yanayev know the details of the Greek Defense Minister's corruption case and easily get all the evidence. Including the Swiss bank account that Sokadzaporos opened using his daughter's identity.

"I don't know what you mean." Sokadzaporos argued. As long as he insisted on not letting go, who could do anything. By the time the anti-corruption department got wind of it, Sokadzaporos had already transferred all the funds.

Yazov threw the photos and documents in front of Sokadzaporos, and he smiled and said, "Evidence? We have plenty of evidence. And Minister Sokadzaporos, don't even think about trying to transfer his property. As long as this negotiation fails, I'm afraid that before you leave the meeting room, the Greek anti-corruption department will receive all the evidence."

"You!" Sokadzaporos clenched his fists. He had negotiated with the defense departments of various countries, but this was the first time he had seen such a shameless Soviet Union.

Yazov sneered and said, "You should be thankful that we conducted this negotiation alone and why I sent away the other members of the Greek delegation. When I showed this material to your delegation, Minister Sokazaporos, you will spend the next 20 years in prison."

Yazov pointed to the materials placed in front of Sokazaporos and said, "Choose one of the two, Minister Sokazaporos. Either you agree to the s300 air defense missile system at 40 million per set, or the anti-corruption department will receive an anonymous letter of accusation in one minute."

"Okay, I agree." Sokazaporos chose to cooperate with Yazov without hesitation.

"Well, this is a win-win situation. You keep the position of Minister of Defense, and we sell the s300 air defense missiles. Everyone is happy." Yazov nodded and admired Sokazaporos's cooperative attitude very much. Think about other countries that rely on bribes to complete orders when selling arms, and only the Soviet Union relies on scandals to win orders every time.

And threats are far more effective than bribes.

"But you must destroy all the evidence!" Kasokazaporos said bitterly. He didn't want to step down because of a bribery scandal after serving as defense minister for four months.

Yazov took the documents, tore all the materials into pieces in front of Sokazaporos, and put them aside. He looked up and said to Sokazaporos, "Is that enough now? There will be more arms sales between the Soviet Union and Greece in the future. I don't want the relationship between the two countries to be unhappy because of this little thing."

Sokazaporos smiled reluctantly. He had a hunch that the S300 missile arms sales were just the beginning, and the nightmare of Greek arms sales would come next.

As the representative of Greek arms sales, he had the handle in his hand that was always in the hands of the Soviet Defense Minister.

This was simply an unbelievable nightmare. (To be continued.)